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NFC east

Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2005

DALLAS COWBOYS

Despite being undersized at 6-2, 282, La'Roi Glover has made a smooth transition from defensive tackle to nose tackle. He earned the starting job after Jason Ferguson missed most of camp with a sprained ankle. Glover's goal on running plays is to make sure he isn't rooted out of the middle. To accomplish that, he must keep his pad level tow so the center can't get under him. Glover remains an excellent pass rusher who still can dominate one-on-one.... Rookie Rob Petitti is doing a good job at fight tackle despite ankle and hip injuries. He hasn't missed practice time, which has won the respect of coach Bill Parcells. If Petitti gets healthy, he should be even more of a contributor. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The Cowboys are trying to make RB Julius Jones a factor in the passing game. They want to get him the ball in space against linebackers because he's probably their one player capable of scoring from anywhere. Jones is trying to learn the nuances of running routes against nickel linebackers and safeties and how to catch the ball more consistently.--Jean-Jacques Taylor

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NEW YORK GIANTS

DTs William Joseph and Kendrick Clancy stopped the run and provided a strong push up the middle in the opener. But both have a problem with consistency, so don't consider the team's weakness there plugged until they do it regularly.... LB Barrett Green (knee) is near full strength, leaving someone the odd man out. Green says he has been promised his starting job back, but if Reggie Torbor, who moved to strongside starter in Green's absence, plays well, that might not happen.... Amani Toomer's move to inside receiver could be good for the team because he runs good routes and finds open space across the middle. The only question is whether he's physical enough. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Although the team's defensive tackles are weak, opponents rarely know what to expect from the Giants up the middle. Defensive coordinator Tim Lewis mixes 4-3 and 3-4 looks out of a base 4-3 defense. He brings safeties up to the line, and opponents never know what the personnel is going to do-at times, the ends line up at tackle and vice versa.--Ralph Vacchiano

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

With defenses keying on WR Terrell Owens and RB Brian Westbrook, TE L.J. Smith has to become a focal point of the offense. Smith has shown the ability to get deep and make plays down the seam. But he needs to become more consistent, control the middle of the field and become QB Donovan McNabb's safety valve.... What makes Jon Runyan one of the better right tackles in the league is his physical play, intensity and knowledge of the game and his opponent. His strength is in the short area and at the point of attack, where he dominates smaller defensive ends. Runyan has improved over the years against speed rushers but needs to make initial contact or he can get beat to the outside. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Coach Andy Reid never has liked the shotgun formation, but because of uncertainty about the line, he used it occasionally in the first two games. In the shotgun, McNabb should have more time and get a better view of the field. So far, it has produced mixed results. After going 4-for-10 for 17 yards and one TD from the formation in the opener, McNabb was 6-for-7 for 106 yards and one TD last week.--Mark Eckel

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Losing DT Brandon Noble (knee) for four to six weeks is a blow. Noble anticipates plays well and is a solid technician who can tie up several blockers. The team hopes Cedric Killings (6-3, 295), who has size and a high motor, can spell Joe Salave'a and provide a good push up the middle. Ryan Beschetti is another high-motor player who gives the team excellent effort.... LT Chris Samuels (6-5, 310) has good size, speed, footwork and agility, but something kept him from playing at an elite level earlier in his career. In his second year with line coach Joe Bugel, Samuels is becoming more consistent. He's making smoother drops, enabling him to stop defenders coming off the corner. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Every Wednesday, defensive coordinator/line coach Greg Blache takes his linemen to the corner of the practice field and slowly coaches them through adjustments they might have to make. Blache emphasizes footwork, keeping a good base and staying low, plus hand placement and coordination among the four linemen. They make few mistakes because Blache works with them so carefully in practice.--Paul Woody

NFC east

Sporting News, The, Sept 30, 2005

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